Game apparatus



Dec. 23, 1924' W. M. HAMILTON f GAME APPARATUS Filed ot. 2a. 1922 @sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 23, 1924. 1,520,345

W. M. HAMILTON GAME APPARATUS Filed oct. 28. 1922 6 sheets-sheet 2 Dec. 23, 1924. 1,520,345

` W. M. HAMILTON GAME APPARATUS 0 Filed oct. aflfie 6 sheets-sheet Dec, 23, 1924.

l w. M. HAMILTON GAME APPARATUS Filed oct. 28. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Deg, 23, 1924.

w`. yM. HAMILTON GAME APPARITUS Filed Oct. 28, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,w atto: 14 mi fDec. 23, 1924. 1,520,345

W. M. HAMILTON GAME APPARATUS Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

FFICE.

PATE

WILLIAM M. HAMLTON, F CONEY ISLAND, NEW YORK.

GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed October 28, 1922.

To all whom t may concer/n.'

Be it known that l, VinLiAM M. Harrin- 'roN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Coney sland, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain nevi and useful Improvements in (lame Apparatus, of which the followingl is a specification.

My invention relates to game apparatus and its object is to provide means for playing a game requiring skill and judgment and which may be played by an individual or by two or more individuals playing competitively.

rllhis object, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which- FiO'ure 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a game appara-tus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 a section on line 3 3 of Figure 2,

Figure 1 a section ou line 1 -L1 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, showing the coin slot and coin releasing mechanism,

Figure 6 a section on line 6 6 of Figure 3 showing an insulated unit,

Figure 7 a vertical perspective section of a score indicatingr compartment,

Figure 8 a central section through the controlling mechanism or inertia switch,

Figure 9 a section substantially on line 9 9 of Figure 8 showing the switch box partly broken away,

Figure 10 a section on line 10 10 of Figure 9 but showing the switch carriage in full,

Figure 11 a top plan view of the operating mechanism,

l `igure 12 a side elevation of the same, and

Figure 13 a diagrammatic view showing the electric connections.

The numeral 1 indicates a cabinet which encloses most of the mechanism. As shown the cabinet encloses four units which are of identical construction. The cabinet, in the form shown, has a flat upper face 2 through a vertical section on line 2 2 Serial No. 597,446.

which switch levers 3 project, an inclined upper face A provided with coin slots 5, there being a slot for each unit, a second inclined upper face 6, separated from inclined face 1 by a shoulder '7, and a series of score indicating compartments 8 at its upper rear having transparent faces 9, one for each unit. The inclined face 6 is of non-magnetic material and provided with series of defined spaces, one series for each unit. The upper and lower boundaries of these spaces are marked for scoring and the scoring marks are indicated by numerals 5 and 20 alternated with each other, each series having 4 scoring marks 5 and l scoring marks so that the total score for each series is 100. A movable object, such as a cylinder 10, normally rests upon the shoulder 7 at the foot of each series of spaces, and the game is played by mechanically imparting motion to the cylinder, the object being to cause it to move upward along the incline, step by step, in such manner that it will come to rest on each numbered line consecutively, the score for each line being indicated in a score indicating compartment. If the player succeeds in so projecting the cylinder that it comes to rest consecutively upon each scoring mark of the series he gets a score of 100. 1f he so projects the cylinder that it jumps one or more marks without resting thereon, those marks do not count.

The operating machanism includes a motor 11, a gear wheel 12 on the motor shaft meshing with a gear wheel 13 lfixed to a shaft 141 carrying a worm 15 which meshes with a toothed wheel 16 fixed to a shaft 1T having its bearing in a bracket. Shaft 1T carries a crank arm 18 pivota-lly connected to a rack bar 19 which engages with a toothed wheel 2O mounted on a shaft 21 having a drive pulley 22 .fixed thereto. A cable 23 leads over pulley 22, guide pul leys 24 and 25 and a pulley 26, guide pulley 24 and pulley 26 being disposed under and adjacent to the inclined face 6, the guide pulley 24 being adjacent the top of the inclined face and pulley 26 below the lower end thereof. Cable 23 is intercepted by carriages 27 and 28 which travel in tracks 29 and in a housing 31 which encloses guide pulleys 24k and 25 and pulley 26. Carriage 28 serves as a counterweight to balance carlOl) riage 27. Carriage 27 carries a magnet 32 and is provided at an upper corner with a wheel 33 of fibre, or other non-conducting material, the other wheel 34 being of conducting material. Housing 3l carries a series of electric contacts 35 separated from track 29 and housing 30 by a block of insulating material 36 spaced to correspondl trom the housing, are in circuit with the with the scoring marks on inclined face 6 and each electrically connected with a signal lamp. These contacts are arranged in the path 'of travel of the non-conducting wheel andthe conducting wheel on the same side ol the carriage so that upon 'contact of the conducting wheel with a c'ontactpoint 35 an electric 'circuit through the carriage may be completed. y The cylinder projecting mechanism, which willhereinafter'be called the inertia switch, isshowninl Figures 8 to 10 of the drawings in which 37 indicates a carriage so mounted that fit may be reciprocated on rails' 38 by 'means ot av switch lever pivoted at 89v and taking `through a slot 40 in the raily base and a's'lot in'the Vcarriage indicated atei, the latter `lslotbeing preferably provided at its ends with resilient cushion rolls 42. Two

y iirames'j and "440i `non-conducting material arearranged'longitudinally of the carria'g'egpirame i3 being hinged to the carriag'e, adjacent one end, at 45 and iframe all hingedadjacent the other end at 46. rl'he tree :ends of the trames rest upon the heads otadjusting screws 47 whereby the frames may `be'adjusted to incline at any desired anglefrom ythe horizontal. Each i'rame carries two longitudinally extending rods each of which is composed ot' a section 4S ot electrically conducting material and a section 49 of non-conducting material, the lattersection being adjacent the hinged end ot' the frame. The conducting sections are preferably made of, or coated with, non-corrosive material and the rods rotatably mounted so that they `may be turned to pro` videdi'fferent lines oi' contact. A ball 5G ot' conducting material is placed on' each pair of rods, which serve as a track therefor, and 'normally rests upon the non-conducting sectionsof the rods and against the lower end of the trame. Each frame is provided uf'ithterminals 5l which are in circuit with the' motor. One end of each carriage is provided with an electric contact 52 adapted to engage acontact 5301i the housing and in circuit with the motor. Coiled springs 54 normally hold the switch lever in its central oridle position.

Beneath each of the coin slots 5 is a switch composed of a guide way consisting ot a tixed plate and a.'pivoted bent arm 56 thebent end of which is connected by a link. 57 with a cross arm 58pivoted to the housing at' 59. One end of the cross arm is positioned to engage with a shoulder 60 on the magnet carriage when that carriage is in its low position and the other end positioned to engage with a shoulder 61 on the counter-balance carriage when that is in its low position. Plate 55,'bent armv56, link 5" and cross arm 58 constitute a switch, hereinafter 'called' the coin switch.

Plate 5.5 and arm 56 which are insulated motor and serve as contacts. Link 57 is ot libre or other non-metallic material. `When the mechanism is idle ai-m56 slopes toward plate 55 and-is held lrin such aposition that a coin dropped through the coin slot will be engaged and hield 'between the movable arm and the plate until the arm is withdrawn Vby some torce other than the pressure exerted by the coin. An insulated terminal 62, in circuit with themot'or, is so mounted as to be engaged by arm 56 when the y'latter is swung to permit passa-gebt a coin.

governor switch 63, of Acentr-it'ug'altype is mounted upon a spindle 64 having its bearii'ig's in brackets 65 and carrying a'ipulley 66 which is connected by a belt 67 with a pulley (58 'on the motor shaft, the"arrange ment being such that, while the'motor-shafft is revolving, the switch isopen but is closed when the rotation or' the motor shafnand consequently that of the governor fspindle, stops. I

'the rack opeiatiing` mechanism issofproportioned and the' magnet carriage Vand counterbalance carriage so positioned.` `inethe length ol" the cable that actuation of the rack bar 19 through one complete stroke, willcause the magnet carriage to'move upwardly the full length of the incline, anda reverse stroke oi the rack barwill cause the magnet carriageto move downwardly and the counter-balance carriage to move upwardly the 'ull length of the incline.

When a coin is placed in the slot elec trical connection is established between one terminal or' the inertia switch, the motor', the battery and the other terminal of thev inertia switch. By `imparting movement to the switch lever 3 ball 5() may be projected upwardly on rods 47. the conducting' sections of the rods electrical connection Ais established between the rods, a circuit is completed between the switch and the motor, the motor is set'vin motion and will continue in motion so long, and so long' only, the ball remains -u'pon the conducting parts of the rods. Action oi the motor will cause movement'of the rack bar. the cable, the magnet *carriage andthe counterbalance carriage, and ithe extent of these movements will be proportioned to the time the motor is in action. Movement of the magnet will impart a concurrent movement to the visible cylinder lO.

When the magnet'carriage comes torest,

When the Vball reaches lll) and its wheel 34 is in Contact with one ot the contact points 35, stopping of the motor will cause the governor switch to close a circuit through a relay 69 and cut in a shunt circuit to light a signal lamp 70 which will disclose a number, either or 20, corresponding to the position cylinder l() occupies on the inclined tace 6. The shunt circuit. keeps the relay energized when the magnet carriage leaves contacts 35. second movement oi the switch lever will cause like action and this will be repeated until the magnet carriage reaches the limit of its upward travel. Shoulder 6l on the counterbalance carriage will then engage with and retract cross aim 57 thereby allowing the coin to drop and breaking the connection between the motor and the inertia switch. This will bring cross arm 58 into contact with contact point 66 which is in electrical connection with the motoil and complete a circuit through the motor thereby causing a reverse motion of the rack bar 19. The motor will continue in operation until the reverse movement ot the rack bar is completed and `the magnet carriage reaches the limit of its downward travel. Shoulder 60 on the carriage will then engage with cross arm 58, break the circuit through the motor and restore arm 5G to position for engagement with a coin.

ln use, a slight movement ot' a switch lever is sutlicient to cause the magnet and cylinder to move one step, but a like result may be obtained by an abrupt movement ot the lever to the limit of its travel. This will cause a very rapid movement ot ball 5t) and a quick return so that. its contact with the rods is brief and the motion imparted to the magnet correspondingly limited. uch abrupt action places unnecessary strains upon the machine and players are apt to prefer the rough rather than the gentle movement. To guard against such practice I provide the terminals 5l and 52 so placed that when the switch carriage approaches the limit ot its travel these contacts will engage and a circuit will be coinpleted through the motor. This will cause operation ot the motor long enough to insure a greater movement of the magnet than is desired and thereby discourage forceful use ot the switch lever.

The inertia switch, the coin slot switch and the motor are in an electric circuit including a battery. To close this circuit a coin must be dropped in the slot and the Ainertia switch manipulated. The magnet carriage is in a circuit including the governor switch, the battery7 and a relay circuit including a shunt circuit having a signal lamp. To close this circuit the governor switch must be closed and the magnet carriage must be in electrical contact with one of the contact terminals When the relay magnet is energized the signal lamp retains its illumination until the circuit is broken by the operator.

lli/*bile l have described my invention as taking a particular forni, it will be understood that the various parts otI my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence l do not limit myselt to the precise construction set forth, but consider that l am aft liberty to make such changes and alterations as iairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

lilaving thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. casing having a non-magnetic face, marked for scoring; a magnet adapted tor travel under the tace; means for supporting the magnet; an object adapted to he attracted and moved by the magnet above the face to malte score; means 'tor causing the magnet to travel; score-indicating means, and means operatively connected with the magnet supporting means for actuating the score-indicating means to indicate the score.

A casing lia-ving a non-magnetic tace, marked for scoring; a magnet adapted for travel under the face; means for supporting `the magnet; an object adapted to be attracted and moved by the magnet above the tace to makea score; manually operated means 'tor causing the magnet to travel distances dependent upon the manipulation of the manually operated means; score-indicating` means, and means operatively connected with the magnet supporting means or actuating the score-indicating means to indicate the score.

3. A casing having a non-magnetic tace, marked for scoring; a magnet adapted for travel under the tace; means for supporting the magnet; an object adapted to be attracted and moved by the magnet above the tace to make a score; operating means for causing the magnet to travel and stop; means t'or retaining the magnet in an acquired position until the operating means is again actuated; score-indicating means. and means operatively connected with the magnet supporting means tor actuating the score-indicating means to indicate the score.

fl. A casing having a non-magnetic tacel` marked for scoring; a magnet adapted tor travel under the tace; means for supporting the magnet; an object adapted to be attracted and moved by the magnet above the face to make a score; manually operated means for causing the magnet to travel distances dependent upon the manipulation ot' the manually operated means; means for retaining the magnet in an acquired position E 'funtil'the manually operated means are again -ffi'ace to` make a score; manually operated meansitor causing the magnet to travel distances dependentupon the manipulation of the. manually operated means, and automatic means-for returning the magnet to its sup- `f porting position when it reaches vthe limit or its forward travel. y

`6. :A casing having al non-magnetic face, marked for scoring; a magnet ad-aptedfor travel under the face; means for supporting *the magnet; 'an object adapted to be attracted and moved by the magnet above the face to ma-ke a score; a lever; means operatively connected with the lever for causing the magnet to travel distances defpendent upon'the manipulation ot the lever;

score indicating means, and means operatively connected with the magnet supportingmeans for actuating the score indicating means to vindicate the score.

7. A casing having a non-magnetic face, marked ttor scoring; tracks on the. casing underfthe face; a'carriage adapted to travel on-the tracks; a magnet on the carriage; an object on the face adapted to be attracted and moved 4by the magnet; score indicating means, and means operatively connected with the magnet supporting means for actuating the score indicating means -to indicate the score.

8. A casing having a non-magnetic face, marked `for scoring; tracks on the casing under the face; onevofthe tracks lbeing insulated Aand -provided withv insu-lated contacts spaced to` correspond with the scoring marks; a carriage adapted to tra-vel yon the tracks; a magnet on theicarriage; a magnetic objecten the face adapted to be moved by the magnet; means for imparting motion to the carriage, and scoring means connected with `the contacts, operative to indicate the scorewhen lthe magnetic objectstops on a scoring mark.

9. A casing havingA a `non-magnetic face; marked for -scoring; 'a' magnetic object movable'thereon; a `magnet under the tace adapted to lattracttlie object; tracks on the casing,-one track being'insulated; electricl contacts upon kthe insulated, track spaced tovcorrespond withtlie scoring marks; relay circuits yhaving one end connected with the contacts andthe other end :grounded to the non-insulated track; a governor switch in thev relay circuits; a circuit shunting the relay circuits; a scoring indicating device tract vthe object; 'tracksw-on the 'casing' v isaogszis therein; ay carriage supporting the magnet adapted to tra-vel.- on the tracksfand -to close la relay `circuit whenl "itjstops onv fa icontact a motor formovmg-fthe carriage, and 4con-V nections' between the motor and the governor switch wherebyl they switchjwill be closed when the motor stops.

l0. A casing havinga non-magnetic 4i'face; a magnetic object mo-vable-tl'iereon; a magneti under the -ace adapted Yto; Iattract Ithe object; a carriage' forfthe-magnet;-a motor for' impai-tingwmotion to the Acarriage 'means operatively lconnected' tothe-motor -'or Areversing '-thei movement of the carriage controlling means ffor .causing intermittent movement ofthe motor during 'the -torwrard movement offt'he magnet,` fand automatically operative means `for causing continuous move-ment not theimotor'during the reverse movement of `the magnet. v

ll. A casing'having a Anon-niagnetic. face; a magnetic objectniovablethereon; a magnet under Athe face `adapted `to' attract the object; a carrizige vtor'the magnet; aimotor for imparting 'movement to the carriage; means 'operatively ccninected to' ythe motor ior reversingI the movement ot: the carriage a motor circuit; a coin slot switch lin series therewith; awmanuallyyolie'rated self-opening switch lin series therewith, andV means toi' automatically opening' the coin slot switr li and shui'itingthe manually operated switch when the magnet reaches `the limit ot its forward travel.

l2. teasing having 1an inclined nommagnetic face a Imagnetic obj ect movable-thereon; a magnet` under 'thei'ace 'adapted'to atg, supporting means-'for ithe'emagnetadapted to travel on oneset of tracks; a counter-weight adapted to-travel ontheother set ot' tracks; guide pulleys mounted inthe l'casi/ng; a drive pulley; a ifableconnecting the 'supporting means to Ithe counterevveight -andl passing over the guide-and drive pulleys; a motor for vimparting motionto the carriage; connections Lbetweentlie drive pulley and niotor for imparting'reverse movementfto the L drive pulley controlling means 'tor causing intermittent Amovement oit' the motorduring upward movement of the magnet; and

marke dy vtor scoring; tracks disposed below tlieface; a cari-lage fcarr'yi-Ing a magnet 'and adapted foritravel "on the tracks; manually operated meansoricausing the scarriage to travel distances ldependent upon the manip u lation ot the operatingmeans;and Contact terminals'mountedin the path of "travel off the carriage, and spaced'toicorrespondwith lthe scoring marks; relay circuitsiincluding signal lamps, and electric connections, be-

ii a

tween the relay circuits, carriage and each contact terminal, whereby a relay circuit may be energized.

14. A casing having a non-magnetic tace marked for scoring; tracks disposed beneath the tace; a carriage; a magnet carried by the carriage; an electric motor; coime;tioiis between the motor and the carriage whereby motion may be imparted to 'the carriage; contact terminals mounted in the path ot travel ot the carriage and spaced to correspond with the scoring marks on the Jface; shunt circuits including' signal lamps; a rela)v circuit, including' the magnet carriage and the contact terminals, whereby the relays may be energized, and governor switch, connected with the motor, arranged to hold the relay circuit broken while the motor rotates and close the relay circuit when the motor is stopped and the magnet carriage is in contact with a terminal.

l5. A casing having a non-magnetic Ytace marked tor scoring; tracks disposed below the tace; a carriage carrying a magnet and adapted ior tra-vel on the tracks; a cable connected. with the carriage; a pulley adapted to impart motion to the cable; an electric motor; connections between the motor and the pulley whereby operation ot the motor causes movement ot the pulley and cable7 and a manually closed automatically opening switch in circuit with the motor whereby the circuit may be temporarily closed and the motor temporarily operated.

1G. A casing` having a non-magnetic tace; a magnet adapted tor travel beneath the "tace: a carriage tor the magnet; an electric motor; connections between the motor and the magnet carriage whereby the latter may be caused to travel, and an inertia switch` in circuit with the motor, consisting ot a switch carriage, an insulated compartment mounted longitudinally of' the switch carriage, a pair ot rods extendingl longitudinally of the compartment and having a non-conducting and conducting section. an electrically conducting); ball normally restingupon the non-conducting sections` and means tor imparting` motion to the switch carriage whereby a ball may be projected onto the conducting; sections and thereby close the circuit.

17. A casing` havinganon-magnetic face: a magnet adapte-d for travel beneath the face: a carriage 'for the magnet; an electric motor: connections between the motor and the magnet carriage whereby the latter may be caused to travel: an inertia switch in circuit with t1 consistne motorn ing of a switch carriage, an insulated compartment mounted longitudinally of the switch carriage and having a non-conducting and conducting section; and electrically conducting ball normally resting upon the nonfconducting sections; means for imparting motion to the switch carriage whereby the ball may be projected onto the conducting sections thereby closing the circuit; a contact terminal on the casing in circuit with the motor, and a contact terminal on the end ot the switch carriage adapted to engage the terminal on the casing when the switch carriage reaches its limit ot travel thereby closing a circuit through the motor.

iS. )i casing havingl an inclined noninagnetic tace marked for scoring; an electric motor, a cable adapted to be driven thereby; a carriage adapted to travel beneath the inclined tace and connected with the cable; a magnet carried thereby; a connterbalance carriage connected with the cable; a tired contact plate and a movable Contact plate disposed beneath a coin slot and in circuit with the motor, the contact plates being adapted to receive and hold a coin; an arm pivotally mounted in the casing' and adapted to be actuated, in one directionr` by the counterbalance carriage when it reaches the limit of its downward travel and, in the other direction by the magnet carriage when it reaches the limit ot its downward travelr` and connections between the movable contact plate and the pivoted arm whereby the counterbalance carriage actuates the arm to withdraw the movable plate and close a circuit through the motor and the magnet carriage actuates the pivoted arm to restore the movable Contact plate to its normal position and breaks the circuit through the motor.

lS-l. A casing' having` a non-magnetic tace marked 'for scoring: tracks disposed beneath the inclined tace: a carriage adapted ior travel on the tracks; a magnet carried by the carriage: a cable arranged for travel on pulleys disposed at the top and bottom ot' the inclined tace; a pulley adapted to drive the cable; a spur gear iixed thereto; an electric motor: a worm shaft adapted to be driven thereby; a spur gear meshing` with the worm shaft; a crank arm carried thereby: a rack bar connected with the crank arm and meshing with the spur gear on tl,e driving pulley and means, in circuit with the mot-or` for variably closing; the circuit thereby causing motion of the magnet carriage,

f2.0. casingy hav Y a non-magnetic tace. marked for scoring: a plurality of magnets adapted for travel under the Jface; movable supports tor the magnets; a plurality ot objectsn one tor each magnet, adapted to be attracted and moved by the magnet on the tace to make a score; a motor havingconnections whereby motion may be imparted to the magnetic supports; manually operated means.` having electrical connections with the motor whereby the motor may be caused to rotate and to cause the-individual magnetic supports to travel In testimonyY whereof I have signed .my dlstzineesdependent upen the lnanlpulatlon naine to this speclfieatlon 1n! the presenee.

off themanually operatedmeansg score inof two subscribing Witnesses.` t

dica-ting means, and meansv operatively con- VILLIAML Mp'HA-MILTON. nested. with the magnet-'supports 'for actu- `Witnessesz t ating :thescre indicating means to indi- ELIZABETH-GABER,

cate the score. CHAS. E. POTTS. 

